Fun Abounds on the Fourth

Motorists should plan on possible delays

Tonight, July 3, some 1500 costumed runners will celebrate the nation’s birthday when they participate in the Firecracker 5000, Seattle’s only midnight 5k which starts at the Seattle Center Memorial Stadium.

Tomorrow morning, at 10 a.m., more costumed participants – this time children – will march in the annual Admiral Fourth of July Kids Parade when as many as 900 spectators will line the parade route. Meanwhile the Wooden Boat Festival continues at the Wooden Boat Center and South Lake Union where tomorrow’s holiday activities will draw 20,000 people. The festival offers a wide range of activities including live music, a beer garden, food, historic vessels on display, rides on classic row boats, and the interactive Chesiahud Challenge, a history tour of Lake Union designed by the Museum of History and Industry. Wooden Boat Festival goers will hang out at the park in the evening to view the late night Family Fourth fireworks show taking place on the north end of the lake at Gas Works Park. The Family Fourth anticipates a crowd of no less than 40,000 people. Parking to the north of the park in the surrounding neighborhoods will be restricted the evening of the Fourth. For more details about these events, please see the schedule below.

To help alleviate traffic congestion, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to park their cars and try one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible.

Tuesday, July 3Firecracker 5000: 11:59 p.m.
Memorial Stadium (Fourth Avenue N and Republican Street)
1,500 participants
Race route: starts at Stadium at Fourth Avenue N and Republican Street; heads north on Fourth to Mercer Street; east on Mercer to Eighth Avenue N; south on Eighth to John Street; west on John to Dexter Avenue N; north on Dexter to Mercer Street; west on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Broad Street; west on Broad to First Avenue N; north on First to Mercer Street; east on Mercer to Fourth Avenue N; south on Fourth returning to finish in Memorial Stadium. Wednesday, July 4Admiral Fourth of July Kids Parade: 10:00 a.m.
Gathers at 44th Avenue SW and Sunset Avenue SW
900 participants expected
Parade starts at 44th Avenue SW and Sunset Avenue SW; moves south on Sunset to SW Atlantic Street; then east on Atlantic to Palm Avenue SW; north on Palm into Hamilton View Point Park. No closures associated with parade, but expect congestion as there will be rolling slowdowns as the parade moves along. Seattle Police will escort.

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Center for Wooden Boats and South Lake Union Park
20,000 expected
Expect heavy congestion in the area around the south end of Lake Union.
Family 4th at Lake Union: Park opens at 12 Noon; Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Gasworks Park
45,000 attending
Street closures start at 6 p.m.: Neighborhoods to the north of the park from N 40th Street and south to N Northlake Way will close to all except motorists needing local access. Motorists should expect heavy congestion in the neighborhoods surrounding Lake Union particularly at the end of the fireworks show when everyone will be leaving the park at the same time.
Seattle Mariners vs Baltimore Orioles: 1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
18,000 attending
Plan for congestion around the stadium before and after the game.

Miscellaneous notes regarding city operations on the Fourth of July: Parking is free on Wednesday, the Fourth of July.
Mariner Notice: There will be temporary changes in operation for three Ship Canal bridges. The US Coast Guard has granted permission to restrict openings at the following bridges and times. Boaters should keep in mind that the Fremont Bridge will be closed to marine vessels from 9 p.m. on July 4 until 12:30 a.m. July 5. The University and Ballard bridges will not open for marine traffic between 10 p.m. on July 4 and 1 a.m. on July 5. The alterations in operation of the three drawbridges will allow heavy vehicle traffic to disperse following the holiday fireworks display on Lake Union. Should vehicle traffic be cleared earlier, these marine restrictions will be lifted.